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Engine coolingPart report

2003 Buick Rendezvous Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
53about this part
Share
19%of 281 total for the year
Median mileage
63,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 53 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Buick Rendezvous, 19% of the 281 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The car over heated while I was driving. I took it to be seen by a mechanic and he said my antifreeze mixed with engine oil. My head gasket blew, the engine had to be replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #10450121, filed 2012-03, 150,000 miles

“Losing oil and water everyday temp. Gauge showing hot. Now trac and anti brake light comes on. Brake pedal is got a jumping movement. We got our 2003 Buick Rendezvous a couple years ago.”

NHTSA complaint #10335865, filed 2010-06, 79,000 miles

“We have a 2003 Buick Rendezvous with 60,000 miles. The car has been maintained according to the manual. We have twice experienced lower intake gasket failure which resulted in two expensive repair bills. Luckily the leaks were noticed before they could cause engine failure. During the last failure, we had lost most of the coolant, which was not indicated by the low coolant alarm. Luckily we had the vehicle in for window service at a GM dealer and they noticed the problem during routine inspection. …”

NHTSA complaint #10255142, filed 2009-01, 68,399 miles

“2003 Buick Rendezvous with 87,000 miles. I started smelling a sweet burning smell through the vent. I am being told that my intake valve is leaking and the water pump needs replacing. This will apparently cost approximately $2,650.00. My father owns the exact same car and had this exact same problem arise in his 2001 Buick Rendezvous. It cost him significantly less. The dealers all know about this problem but is has not been issued as a recall therefore they can charge for it. …”

NHTSA complaint #10197598, filed 2007-07, 87,561 miles

“I have an 03 Buick Rendezvous and the intake manifold gasket ($875) was identify by the dealership as the source of the problem at the same time my front hub bearings were fixed at just over $400 by the Buick dealership in new jersey. The dealership took my money gladly and later that day I find out in this forum my vehicle should have been repaired at no cost to me. I find it hard to believe the service manager/dealership were not aware of this problem and the notice posted by GM. …”

NHTSA complaint #10169030, filed 2006-09, 67,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200725%
200611%
20051410%
20042111%
20035319%
200211524%

Other parts of the 2003 Buick Rendezvous

Fuel system
84 complaintsBrakes
45 complaintsElectrical system
45 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
22 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsSteering
17 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsEquipment
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Buick Rendezvous

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology